Machine for packaging stacked hollow ware such as nested paper cups or the like



June 9, 1953 W. T. BURBANK MACHINE FOR PACKAGING STACKED HOLLOW WARE SUCH AS NESTED PAPER CUPS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 13, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

June 9, 1953 2,641,095

W. T. BURBANK MACHINE FOR PACKAGING STACKED HOLLOW WARE SUCH AS NESTED PAPER CUPS OR THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 15, 1949 June 9, 1953 w BURBANK 2,641,095

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING STACKED HOLLOW WARE SUCH AS NESTED PAPER CUPS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 13, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

Q m I June 9, 1953 w T. BURBANK 2,641,095

MACHINE FOR PA CKAGING STACKED HOLLOW WARE SUCH AS NESTED PAPER CUPS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 15, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 f/aJ M h AV/ozway.

June 9, 1953 w. T. BURBANK MACHINE FOR PACKAGING STACKED HOLLOW WARE SUCH AS NESTED PAPER CUPS OR THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 13, 1949 E Q k & MN Maw INVENTOR. Z/awad/ 7. fl z/na/r r June 9, 1953 w. T. BURBANK 2,641,095

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING STACKED HOLLOW WARE SUCH AS NESTED PAPER CUPS OR THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 15, 1949 INVENTOR. 1/4/704 I flz/z'fia/M' BY Patented June 9, 1953 MACHINE FOR PACKA LOW WARE SUCH AS OR THE LIKE GING STAOKED HOL- NESTED PAPER CUPS Wendell T. Burbank, Three Rivers; Mich, as-

signor to Sutherland Paper Company, Kala mazoo, Mic-11., a corporation of Michigan Application January 13, 1949, Serial No. 70,652

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in machines for packaging stacked hollow ware such as nested paper cups or the like.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to. provide a machine for packaging or wrapping hollow ware such as stacks of paper cups which results in a sealed wrapped package and eliminates or minimizes the handling of the unwrapped cups.

Second, and more specifically, to provide a machine for wrapping nested or stacked groups of tapered cup-like receptacles having bead-like,

rims and recessed buttoms.

Third, to provide a machine having these advantages and capacities which forms the wrappers from continuous. webs of heat scalable Wrapping material, the packages being delivered or discharged from the machine as complete individually wrapped packages.

Fourth, to provide a machine having these ad? vantages which is of very large capacity.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed.

out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine embodying my invention with one side frame member removed, the shafts supported by the omitted side frame beingv sectioned.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing three complementary portions, the division lines being indicated by the lines A--A Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view mainly in vertical section on a line corresponding to line L v-"3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in transverse section on a line corresponding to line 6-4- of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged. fragmentary view partially in vertical longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section on a. line corresponding to line t-B. of Fig. 5 with the grippers shown in actuated or gripping position by full lines and in retracted positio by dot od lin s- Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view on' a line corresponding to line il of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken.

n -lin co resp n ng toline B -8 of Fi s. 1 an 5 illustrating the relation of the crimper, sealing and cutting means and of the holding and translating means.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the crimping, sealing and severing means taken on a line corresponding to line 9-9 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line I O-40 of Fig. 9, showing further details of thecrimping, sealing and severing means.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of one of the packages wrapped and sealed, but prior to the tucking of the ends of the wrapper into the bottom and top respectively of the packaged articles as is shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view partially in longitudinal section of a completed package in association with a following package which serves as a means for tucking the Wrapper into the top of astack of receptacles. V

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing is especially designed for the wrapping of stacks of Paper cups, there being eight cups in each stack. It will be understood, however, that the machine is readily adapted for the wrapping of nested h'ol-.- low ware of other shapes and dimensions and of other objects. In the accompanying drawing the frame isdesignated by thenumeral I. Referring to Fig. 1, only one side member of the frame is illustrated but it will be understood that the omitted side member is a substantial duplicate of that shown and that the side members are connected by suitable cross pieces and memhei s, to provide, a. rigid supporting frame for the various parts.

The stacks of receptacles. to be Wrapped are indicated by the numeral Z-and these illustrated are provided-with outturned bead-like rims 3 and have inset or recessed bottoms l. The cups are tapered so that they may be effectively nested or stacked as indicated in Fig. 12. The machine is designed'to wrap the stacked or assembled groups of cups from a web of heat scalable wrapping material 5 such, for example, as cel lophane, a roll of the material being shown at 6 supported by a suitable spindle T and provided with a. friction brake 8 to prevent overrunning of theweb as it is advanced step by step during the wrapping operations to be described.

Thestacks of cups 2v are arranged in an inverted position to be fed by a conveyer including the conveyor belt 9, the upper reach of which is supported by the bar It. This belt is supported by the driven pulley I i and the pulley I2 to translate the stacks of cups to be individually discharged at the delivery end of the conveyer. The wrapping means comprises the trough-like transversely curved wrapping way I3 which is arranged with its forward end below the delivery end of the feed conveyer. In the machine illustrated, this wrapping way is arranged in a forwardly inclined position but the main purpose of that is to bring the parts into convenient position for servicing and for removing the fully wrapped packages designated by the numeral I4, the wrapped packages being successively delivered to a trough-like support or holder I5 formed by rods from which they are commonly picked up to be packed in cartons.

The front end of the wrapping way I3 is positioned to receive the web from the guide roller I6. The wrapping way I3 has upwardly projecting curved folders I1 at its front end provided with rearwardly extending fingers or supporting arms l8. The U-shapecl conforming member I3 depends into this folder II in closely adjacent but spaced relation thereto so that the web of paper passes between the conforming member and the wrapping member with the result that the web is conformed into an upwardly facing U -shape at the front end of the conveyer way I3 and it is maintained in this position by the outer fingers or arms I8 and the inner fingers or arms 20 until the stack of cups have been deposited thereon and until it reaches further folding or wrappin means adapted to turn the top of the wrapper inwardly around the package.

While the wrapper is held in this U-shape, as described, stacks of cups are delivered thereto in parallel relation to the way I3. This, in the embodiment illustrated, is accomplished by means of the delivery control arm or member 2| which is mounted on the rock shaft 22 and provided with stop fingers 23 and 24 which are adapted to alternately swing into and out of stop position through the slots 25 in the feed conveyer side members 26 (see Figs. 1, 3 and 4). When the stop arm 2| is actuated to discharge position or toward the right as viewed in Fig. 4, the stop 23 is retracted permitting a stack of cups to discharge downwardly over the guide 21 which also serves to support the members 20. This same discharging movement of the arm 2| positions the stop 24 to hold the work on the feed conveyer until the advance stack has been discharged and the arm 2| returned to again position the stop 23.

A stack of cups is shown in discharged position upon the web of wrapping material which has been conformed to U-shape on the conveyer way I3 (see Fig. 4). The work is positioned with the top facing forwardly, that is, forwardly relative to the front end of the machine. In this position the stack of cups and the wrapper conformed around the same in trough or channel shape is engaged by the work feed grippers 23 which are arranged in opposed pairs, these being provided with the vertical ribs 29 which are spaced to engage the wrapper between the rims of the cups. These feed grippers are carried by arms 30 on the rock shafts 3| which are not only mounted for rocking movement but also for axial movement by the bearings 32 and 33 carried by the rods 34 and 35 extending across the frame.

These shafts are provided with collars I33 engaged by the cross head 36 (see Fig. 4), which is connected by the link 31 to the actuating lever 38 pivotally supported by the shaft 39. This lever is in turn actuated by the link 46 pivoted thereto at M and having a follower 42 engaging the cam groove 43 of the cam 44 (see Fig. 1). This rock shaft 39 has an arm 45 connected by the link 46 to an arm 41 on the rock shaft 22 carrying the stop member or feed control member 2I previously described. This insures that the parts be operated in timed relation.

The rock shafts 3I are rocked to actuate and retract the grippers 28 in properly timed relation by means of the pneumatic device designated generally by the numeral 48 and comprising the plunger indicated at 49 and the plunger rod 50 engaging the slots 5I in the arms 52 on the rock shafts 3 I.

A second pair of grippers 53 is the same as the grippers 28, being spaced therefrom, however, so as to grip the stack of receptacles that have been advanced one step by the grippers 2B. This results in the feeding of the wrapping web and also the receptacles therein without displacement and with a proper spacing of the groups or stacks of receptacles. In Fig. 1 the grippers are shown in actuated position or at the limit of their rearward travel.

After the receptacles have been positioned in the web which has been conformed or folded to the upwardly facing U-shape, they are translated along the way I3 with the wrapper and below the top folder or wrapping member 54, which is adjustably supported by the arm 55 on the cross rod 56. This folder or wrapping member 54 is an outer folder or wrapping member and carries an inner wrapper folder, or wrapper s pporting and guiding member 51 which extends rearwardly therefrom. Both these inner and outer members 54 and 51 are of downwardly facing curved channel section and they serve to fold and guide the edges of the wrapper inwardly as is shown in Fig. 2. This figure also shows the relation of the grippers. A yieldable transversely corrugated stop jaw 58 is provided at this position to insure that the package of cups is stopped in proper position to be gripped by the second pair of grippers.

The member 51 extends rearwardly and constitutes a guiding support for the edge portions of the wrapper as it is further folded in and wrapped around the stack of cups by third wrapping or folding unit designated generally by the numeral 59 (see Figs. 1 and 5). This unit comprises the rollers 60 carried by the supports or blocks 6| which are in turn carried by the arms 62 supported by posts 63.

These rollers contact the wrapper and. are arranged in an inclined relation to the path of travel of the wrapper as shown in Fig. so that they tend to wipe and further wrap the wrapper around the package until the edges are brought into overlapping relation as shown in Fig. 5, in which position they are subjected to the side sealer designated generally by the numeral 64. This side sealer is electrically heated, the details and the wiring, however, forming no part of this invention. It is sufficiently heated so that the overlapped side edges of the wrapper are sealed together as the stacks of cups and wrappers are positioned relative thereto as shown in Fig. 5.

The sealing unit 64 is carried by an arm adjustably mounted on the rod 66. This permits the heating element being swung out of position when the machine is stopped and adjusted to the desired frictional engagement with the wrapper.

The ribs on the grippers 28 and 53 are so spaced-as rtobel:=positioned between' the rims of the stack. of oupswwhenoin grippingpositiomand this results in' an :eifective? gripping 'of the cups andthe'wrapper and-the translationof both with -a-=stepby step-movement, To compensatefor the w step by step movement'the-webis supported in a loop 6'! bymeans .-of -the-tensioning: roll 68 on the pivoted arm I68 "(see Fig. 1). 'I.=hea-rm I68 hasan -adjustable counterweight' 69. This permits-a substantially-:uniform unwinding from themsupply roll 6.

i Spaced from -the-l rear end of the==wrapping way 1 3 and. aligned therewith, isa.- deliveryway llJJa1so of upwardly facing curved channel section. wOpposed-to-the delivery way 10 is a'curved friction plate l 1 I provided with flanges 12 p- .posed to Iflanges 13 on the way 10 and receiving the bolts" 14 which are-provided with tensioning springs 75. The I way 'misl thus yieldably supported. An. adjustable stop 16- limits the -lupward movement of the way l0. lThex packages which are sealed asthey are deliveredto the way 10 are frictionally held under. compression by thesprings T5.

The transfer grippers,desig-nated generally by t the numerals H, are carriedbyarms IS-mounted on the rock shafts-3i carrying thefeed or wrapping grippers previously described. vtT-he grippers 71 are. provided with .rubber-coveredr-longitudinally spacedcurved fingers 19 and the stroke of the grippers H is such as to engage a stack of receptacles in the. position shown -in Fig. in association with'fthe-side sealer. The same forward" stroke engages the .fi-rst-setof grippers withthe 'sta'ckof receptacles thathave been deposited upon the wrapper from-the feed conveyer. The 1 fullyactuated orrearward position of the grippers .17 is shown bytdottedlines-in Fig/'5 and it will be seen that-they'carry the stack or assembly of receptacles'into the delivery conveyer :way.

Between the conveyerzways-I3 and-'l[l,-the portions or the wrapper betweenspaced stacks or assemblies-of receptaclesbeingwrapped is crimped and sealed .at two spaced "pointsand severed between the sealed points or zones. This crimping, sealing and severing assembly is-desig- 'nated' generally by the numeral 80. It-icomprises opposedunits designated generally by the numerals-Bl and 82 (see Figs. -8, 9 and These units are simultaneously operated transversely of the, path of'travelof. the wrapper and the receptacles assembled therein.

The unit '8! is mounted on the-plunger rod '83 projecting fromthe'cylindertfill, the plunger 85'being shown at the right of Fig. 8. The fluid connections are shown at'86.

The unit'82 is provided with arsimilar supporting and actuating means andthe fluid is simultaneously controlled by means notillustrated. The crimpers-B'I are arranged inopposed telescoping pairsand have V-shapedrecesses-"BS terminating in circular notches or recesses 89 asshown in "Fig. 8'. The .crimpersand the sealing and cutting membersarecarried by cross heads flfl-supportedon-the reciprocating rods al, the plungers being .connectedtothe cross heads.

The sealing element 92 of the uni-t8 l --isprovided' with spaced V-shaped -members 93-while the sealingelement 94 is provided withcorresponding opposed recesses 95. The heatingelernentBZ carries a knife SIG-disposed hetween the portions 93;while the heating element 94 isiprov'id'ed Witha recess til receiving the edgesof the 6 vlariifer in :actuated posi-tion the edgesa-ofithe reoess r91 in effect. constituting. shear bars-fma supporting the wrapper material for effective-severing. '"The:electrical"connections are indicated" at 9 8 (see '10) With the parts thus arranged and:after the machine has vbeen' operated to position one stack cfeoups as shown at .the left of Fig. I 5, -and' anothen preceding: I stack within: the fdelivery conveyerway rthese crimping; sealing and severing unitsnare-simultaneously operated and the; portions ofthe'w-rapper between the adjacent groups of receptacles. are gathered or" crimped by the crimpers 8l-as-is-shown inEiga; 5-and 9. The gathered and crimped-wrapper =isx-sealed-at two spaced points by thesealing; elements and simultaneously. severed.- -between the sealing points 701' zones. The units: 8 I and- 82 are then retracted in timed relation to thefactuation of the transfergrippers whichegrip the stack 'of cups which has hadthe side thereof sealed. and transfer. it to'lthe delivery conveyerewayand into thrust translating engagement with the. preceding -a-assembly.

.This results in tucking the sealed-end 99-of the individual-(wrapper I 00- (see Figs..11 and-12) into the recessedsbottomof the cup .staok or assembly andrthe. end I BI .is tucked into the.

top. receptacleiofl the stack --asis-.shownin- Fig. 12. As stated, the lcups are discharged from the delivery conveyer'iin-to the trough l5 i from which 'they are removedby the. operator or they might ,be delivered upone a. conveyer .belt-ior the like or into a receptacle.

.The side sealer. or heatingelement 64'is. provided withalthe'rmostat conventionally-3 illustrated at H3. The thermostat. for the-heating elements I93 are not illustrated. The transverse crimping, sealing and cutting unitsvare. controlled from a control valve shown conventionally at 104 which is operatedin timed relation to other operations by means of .thecam' I95 (see Fig. 1). The connections, as stated. areinotaillustrated because they form no part. of. the-invention.

The machine'is driven from -the motor I06 which is connected bythe belt I01" and a pulley l 08' to the. shaft. I t9 which is inturn connected by thesprocketachain H0 totheshaft lH-on which 'thecam 44 -is-.mounted. A-hand "wheel lflz'is provided on theshaft M9 provide hand operation'for threading-themachine. The shaft 113,. on whichsthe feed conveyor :pulley I! 'is mounted, is .connectedbythe belt H4 tothe shaft H l.

It "will. be understood that the gripper actuating unit-48:is-operated :in timed relation to the other mechanisms-to perform theiru-several functions in.-proper sequence. I'have not described in detail variousmountings and supports for the-several parts and mechanisms-as such details:form no=partof my. present invention, and; providing suitable supportsis believed tobe=-within:the skill -.of the art. A'lso,'I have not attempted to illustrate certain welds or .describe certainwelded joints or -boltwor--.screw' connections for the-same reasons.

i I' have illustrated and described' my 'invention inra'hig-hly :practical commercial embodiment thereof and, as stated, especially designed for the wrapping of tapered cup-like receptacles. Myinvention'may; however, be readily adapted for wrapping" other forms of stacked receptacles or other hollow ware and other objects. The machine :ofmy invention is of large capacity and entirely automatic inoperation---a;fter it "is properly threaded and manipulated to position the work to be grasped by the feed or translating grippers.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for wrapping nested assemblies of hollow receptacles having outturned rims and recessed bottoms, the combination of an upwardly facing trough-like wrapping way, 013- posed curved inwardly facing outer side folders disposed at the front end of and complementing said wrapping way and having rearwardly extending outer wrapper supporting arms, an inner former and wrapper support folder cooperating with said way and said opposed side folders and spaced therefrom permitting the passage of a wrapper web therebetween and having inner web supporting arms opposed to and spaced from said outer supporting arms. a transversely curved downwardly facing top folder disposed at the rear of said supporting arms, a transversely curved top former and wrapper support opposed to and extending rearwardly from said top folder in supporting relation to the edges of the wrapper translated therealong, a yieldable transversely ribbed stop member disposed below said top former to suecessively engage the assemblies to be wrapped, rear folders operatively associated with the rear end of said top former to cooperate therewith in conforming and guiding the wrapper into a tubular form with overlapping edges, means for discharging assemblies of receptacles sidewise between said inner web supporting arms in spaced relation upon the wrapper, pairs of opposed feed grippers actuated for simultaneous closing and opening for gripping and releasing the assemblies through the wrapper and for simultaneous reciprocation for translating the spaced assemblies and the wrapper along the wrapping way step by step, a side sealer disposed at the rear of the rear folders in coacting relation to the overlapped longitudinal edges of the wrapper, a delivery conveyer way disposed in rearwardly spaced aligned relation to the wrapping way, a friction plate disposed in opposed relation to the delivery way for frictionally retarding the movement of the wrapped assemblies thereon, means for crimping, sealing and severing the wrapper between said wrapping and delivery ways, and a pair of transfer grippers actuated in timed relation with the feed grippers to engage an assembly at the rear of the wrapping way and transfer it to the delivery way, said several grippers being provided with projecting grip portions engaging the wrapper between the rims of nested receptacles to facilitate translation of the assemblies and wrapper together, said delivery conveyer and coacting friction plate frictionally retarding the wrapped and sealed assemblies thereon so that an assembly delivered by the transfer grippers is nested with the last preceding assembly and the trailing sealed end of the wrapper of said preceding assembly is tucked into the trailing receptacle thereof and the leading sealed end of the sealed wrapper of the transferred assembly is tucked into the recessed bottom of the leading receptacle thereof.

2. In a machine for wrapping nested assemblies of hollow receptacles having outturned rims, the combination of an upwardly facing troughlike wrapping way, opposed side folders disposed at the front end of said wrapping way and having rearwardly extending outer wrapper supporting arms, an inner wrapper former and wrapper support folder cooperating with said way and said opposed side folders and spaced therefrom permitting the passage of a wrapper Web therebetween and having inner web supporting arms opposed to and spaced from said outer supporting arms, a transversely curved downwardly facing top folder disposed at the rear of said supporting arms, a transversely curved top former and wrapper support opposed to and extending rearwardly from said top folder in supporting relation to the edges of the wrapper translated therealong, a yieldable stop member disposed below said top former to successively engage the assemblies to be Wrapped, a rear folder means associated with said top former to cooperate therewith in conforming and guiding the wrapper into a tubular form with overlapping edges, means for discharging assemblies of receptacles sidewise in spaced relation upon the wrapper, pairs of opposed feed grippers actuated for simultaneous gripping and releasing the assemblies and wrapper and for simultaneous reciprocation for translating the spaced assemblies and the wrapper along the wrapping way step by step, a sealer disposed at the rear of the rear folders in coacting relation to the overlapped longitudinal edges of the wrapper, a delivery conveyer way disposed in rearwardly spaced aligned relation to the wrapping way, a friction plate disposed in opposed relation to the delivery way for frictionally retarding the movement of the wrapped assemblies thereon, means for sealing and severing the wrapper between said wrapping and delivery ways, and a pair of transfer grippers actuated in timed relation with the feed grippers to transfer an assembly from the wrapping way to the delivery way, said several grippers being provided with projecting grip portions engaging the wrapper between the rims of nested receptacles to facilitate translation of the assemblies and wrapper together, said delivery conveyer and coacting friction plate frictionally retardingthe wrapped and sealed assemblies thereon so that an assembly delivered to the delivery conveyer is nested with the last preceding assembly and the trailing sealed end of the wrapper of said preceding assembly is tucked into the trailing receptacle thereof.

3. In a machine for wrapping nested assembhes of hollow receptacles having outturned rims, the combination of an upwardly facing troughlike wrapping way, opposed side folders disposed at the front end of said Wrapping way, an inner wrapper former cooperating with said way and said opposed side folders, a top folder disposed at the rear of said side folders, a top former and wrapper support extending rearwardly from said top folder in supporting relation to the edges of the wrapper translated therealong, a yieldable stop member disposed below said top former to successively engage the assemblies to be wrapped, a rear folder means associated with said top former to cooperate therewith in conforming and guiding the wrapper into a tubular form with overlapping edges, means for dischargmg assemblies of receptacles sidewise in spaced relation upon the wrapper, pairs of opposed feed ppers actuated for simultaneous gripping and releasing the assemblies and wrapper and for slmultaneous reciprocation for translating the spaced assemblies and the wrapper along the gl y S p by step, a sealer disposed at e rear of the rear folders in coacting relation to the overlapped longitudinal edgesof the wrapper, a delivery conveyer way disposed in rearwardly spaced aligned relation to the wrapping way, a-friction plate disposed in opposed relation to the delivery way for frictionally retarding the movement of the wrapped assemblies thereon, means for sealing and severing the wrapper between said wrapping and delivery Ways, and a pair of transfer grippers actuated in timed relation with the feed grippers to transfer an assembly from the wrapping way to the delivery Way, said several grippers being provided with projecting grip portions engaging the wrapper between the rims of nested receptacles to facilitate translation of the assemblies and wrapper together, said delivery conveyer and coacting friction plate frictionally retarding the wrapped and sealed assemblies thereon so'that an assembly delivered tothe delivery conveyer is nested with the lastpreceding assembly and the trailing sealed end of the wrapper of said preceding assembly is tucked into the trailing receptacle thereof.

4. In a machine for wrapping nestedassemblies of hollow receptacles, the combination of an upwardly facing trough-like wrapping way, opposed outer side folders disposed at the front end of said wrapping-way and having rearwardly extending outer wrapper supporting arms, an

inner wrapper former and wrapper support foldercooperating with said way and said outer side folders and spaced therefrom permitting thepassage of a wrapper-web therebetween and having inner web supporting arms opposed to and spaced from'said outer supporting arms,-a

transversely curved downwardlyfacing top folder disposed at'the rear of said supporting arms,.a transversely curved top former and wrapper sup-= port opposed to and'extending rearwardl'y from said top folder in supporting relation to the edges of the wrapper translated .tlierealong, a rear folder means associated with saidtop former to cooperate therewith. in conforming and grinding the wrapper into a tubularform with overlapping edges, means for discharging assemblies of receptacles sidewise in spaced relation upon the wrapper, pairs of opposed feed grippers actuated for simultaneous gripping and releasing the assemblies and wrap-per and for simdltaheous reciprocation for translating the spaced assemblies and the wrapper along the wrapping way step by step, a sealer disposed at the rear of the rear folder means in coacting relation to the overlapped longitudinal edges of the wrapper, a delivery conveyer way disposed in rearwardl y' spaced aligned relation to the wrapping way, means for sealing and severing the wrapper between said wrapping and delivery ways, and a pair of transfer grippers actuated in timed rela tion with the feed grippers to transfer an assembly from the wrapping way to the delivery way.

5. A wrapping machine of the classdescribe'd comprising in combination, a feed conveyer for feeding nested assemblies of hollow ware in"invertedposition, a trough-like wrapping way disposed with its forward'e'nd below the delivery end of said conveyer, side folders disposed at the sides of the Wrapping way and acting to turn the sides of i a wrapper web upwardly into a trough-like form, inner and outer wrapper supports disposed at the rear of said side folders, a top folder disposed at the rear of said'wrapper supports for turning the edges of the wrapper web inwardly, atop former disposed to support such inturned edges of the wrapper web, rear folders cooperating with said former to position the edgesof the wrapper in overlapping relation, a side sealer for sealing portions of such overlapping edges,-meansfor discharging assemblies to be wrapped'from said feed conveyer in spaced relationupon the'Wr-apper, feed grippers for translating assemblies and wrapper along the wrapping way with step by step movement, a delivery conveyer way disposed in spaced relation to said wra ping way and provided with means-for :frictionauy retarding the translation of the :work thereon, means for crimping, sealing and severing the wrapper between said wrapping "and-delivery waysand transfer grippers actuated intimed relation with said feed grippers to transfer an assembly having the wrapper there'around and sealed at its leading end to said delivery Way and into nested relation to the last preceding assembly on the delivery way whereby the-trailing sealed end of the wrapper of said preceding assembly is tucked into the trailing receptacle.

6. 'A wrapping 'machineof the class described comprising in combination, a, trough-like wrapping way, .side folders disposed at the sides of the wrapping way and acting to turn the sides of a wrapper web upwardly into a trough-like form, inner and outer side Wrapper supports disposed at the rearof saidvside folders, a top folder disposed at the rear of said side supports for-turning the-edges of the wrapper web inwardly, a top former disposed to support such inturnededges'of the wrapper web, rear folders cooperating with said former to position the edges of the wrapper in overlapping relation, means for discharging assemblies to be wrapped in spaced relation upon the wrapper, feed grippers for translating assemblies and wrap-per along thewrapping-way with step by step movement, a delivery conveyer way disposed in spaced relation tosaid wrapping way and provided with meansfor frictionally retarding the translation of the work thereon, means for crimping, sealing and severingthe wrapper between said wrapping and delivery ways, and transfer grippers actuated in timed relation with said feed grippers to transfer an assembly having the wrapper therearound and sealed at its leading end to said delivery way and into nested relation to the lastpreceding assembly on the delivery way whereby the trailing sealed end of the wrapper of said preceding assembly is tucked into the trailing receptacle.

'7. A wrappingmachine of the class described comprisingin combination, a feed conveyer for f'eeding'nested assemblies of hollow ware in inverted position, a trough-like wrapping way disposed with itsi'olward end below the delivery end of said conveyer, side folders disposed at the sides of the wrapping way and acting to turn the sides of a wrapper Web upwardly into a troughlilce form, "a "top folder disposed at the rear of said side'fol'ders for turning the edges of the wrapper web inwardly, a top former disposed to support such inturned edges of the Wrapper web, rear folders cooperating with said former to position the edges of the wrapper in overlapping relation, aside sealer for sealing portions of such overlapping edges, means for discharging assemblies to be wrapped from said feed conveyer in spaced relation upon the Wrapper, feed grippers for translating assemblies and wrapper along the wrapping way with step by-step movement, a delivery conveyer waydisposed in spaced relation tocsaid wrapping =way and provided with means for frictionally retarding the translation of the work thereon, means for crimping, sealing and severing the wrapper between said wrapping and delivery ways, and transfer grippers actuated in timed relation with said feed grippers to transfer an assembly having the wrapper therearound and sealed at its ends to said delivery way and into nested relation to the last preceding assembly on the delivery way whereby the trailing sealed end of the Wrapper of said preceding assembly is tucked into its trailing receptacle.

8. A wrappin machine of the class described comprising in combination, a trough-like wrapping way, side folders disposed at the sides of the wrapping way and acting to turn the sides of a wrapper web upwardly into a trough-like form, a top folder disposed at the rear of said side folders for turning the edges of the wrapper web inwardly, a top former disposed to support such inturned edges of the wrapper web, rear folders cooperating with said former to position the edges of the wrapper in overlapping relation, means for discharging assemblies to be wrapped in spaced relation upon the wrapper, feed grippers for translating assemblies and wrapper along the wrapping way with step by step movement, a. delivery conveyer way disposed in spaced relation to said. wrapping way and provided with means for frictionally retarding the translation of the work thereon, means for crimping, sealing and severing the wrapper between said wrapping and delivery ways, and transfer grippers actuated in timed relation with said feed grippers to transfer an assembly having the wrapper therearound and sealed at its ends to said delivery way and into nested relation to the last preceding assembly on the delivery way whereby the trailing sealed end of the wrapper of said preceding assembly is tucked into its trailing receptacle.

9. A Wrapping machine for wrapping hollow ware comprising a feed conveyer for feeding the work in inverted position, a wrapping way disposed with its forward end below the delivery end of the conveyer and adapted to support a wrapper Web of heat sealable material, side folders disposed at the sides of the wrapping way and acting to turn the wrapper webupwardly into a trough-like form, a top folder for turning the edges of the web inwardly, a top former disposed to support such intur-ned edges of the web, rear folders cooperating with the former to position the edges of the web in overlapping relation, a heat sealer for sealing portions of such overlapping edges, means for discharging assemblies to be wrapped from said conveyer onto the wrapping web with the hollow ware of the assembly opening forwardly while the web is supported in trough-like form and in timed relation to the translation of the web whereby the assemblies are spaced on the web, means for translating the assemblies and the web along the wrapping way acting to grip the assemblies and web simultaneously, means positioned between said way and said receiver for crimping, sealing and severing the web in timed relation to the actuation of said feed means and between said assemblies, a receiver positioned in spaced relation to the rear of said wrapping way and adapted to receive wrapped assemblies and restrain the same against further rearward motion, means for transferring assemblies from said wrapping way to said receiver with the rear end of the wrapper sealed and into internested relation with the preceding assembly whereby the assemblies are nested in the receiver and the trailing end of the preceding 12 wrapper is tucked into the rear receptacle of the assembly.

10. A wrapping machine for wrapping hollow ware comprising a wrapping way adapted to support a wrapper web of heat sealable material, side folders disposed at the sides of the wrapping way and acting to turn the wrapper web upwardly into a trough-like form, a top folder for turning the edges of the web inwardly, a top former disposed to support such inturned edges of the web, rear folders cooperating with the former to position the edges of the web in overlapping relation, a heat sealer for sealing portions of such overlapping edges, means for translating the assemblies and the web along the wrapping way acting to grip the assemblies and web simultaneously, means positioned between said way and said receiver for crimping, sealingand severing the web in timed relation to the actuation of said feed means and between said assemblies, a receiver positioned in spaced relation to the rear of said wrapping way and adapted to receive wrapped assemblies and restrain the same against further rearward motion, means for transferring assemblies from said wrapping way to said receiver with the rear end of the wrapper sealed and into internested relation with the preceding assembly whereby the assemblies are nested in the receiver and the trailing end of the preceding wrapper at the open end of the ware in each assembly is tucked into the trailing receptacle of the assembly.

11. A wrapping machine of the class described for wrapping hollow work comprising a wrapping way, folders associated with said wrapping way to turn the sides of a web of wrapping material upwardly into a trough-like form as the web is translated along the Way, a top folder associated with the way for turning the edges of the wrapper inwardly as it is translated along the way, a top former supporting such inturned edges of the wrapper, means cooperating with said top former to conform the wrapper into a tube with overlapping edges, a sealing means for such overlapping edges, means for delivering work to be wrapped upon the wrapper in timed relation to the translation thereof so that the work is spaced upon the wrapper, means for translating the work and the wrapper along the wrapping way with a step by step movement and acting to grip the work and the wrapper for simultaneous movement, a delivery conveyer way disposed in spaced relation to the wrapping way and having means associated therewith for frictionally retarding the translation of work thereon, means for crimping, sealing and severing the wrapper between said ways and between the work within the wrapper, and transfer means actuated in timed relation with the wrapping way work translating means to transfer work having the wrapper therearound sealed at its trailing end to said delivery way and into nested relatio with the last preceding wrapped work on the delivery way whereby the trailing sealed end of the wrapper of said preceding wrapped work is tucked into the work.

12. A wrapping machine of the class described for wrapping hollow work comprising a wrapping way, folder associated with said wrapping way to turn the sides of a web of wrapping material upwardly into a trough-like form as the web is translated along the way, a top folder associated with the way for turning the edges of the wrapper inwardly as it i translated along the way, a top former supporting such inturned edges of the wrapper, means cooperating with said top former to conform the wrapper into a tube with overlapping edges, means for translating the work and the wrapper along the wrapping way with a step by step movement, a delivery conveyer way disposed in spaced relation to the Wrapping way and having means associated therewith for frictionally retarding the translation of work thereon, means for crimping, sealing and severing the wrapper between said ways and between the work within the wrapper, and transfer means actuated in timed relation with the Wrapping way work translating means to transfer work having the wrapper therearound sealed at its trailing end to said delivery way and into nested relation with the last preceding wrapped work on the delivery way whereby one sealed end of the wrapper of one wrapped piece of work is tucked into the hollow end of the work.

13. A wrapping machine for wrapping hollow ware comprising, a wrapping way adapted to support a web of heat scalable wrapping material with a portion of the web in U-shaped troughlike form, means for discharging nested assemblies of hollow ware into said portion of said Web in aligned relation, means including transversely and longitudinally movable gripper positioned to grip successive assemblies through said web and advance both the web and the assembly, said grippers having projecting tooth portions spaced equally to the spacing of the ware in the assemblies and engageable with said web portions between the nested ware of said assemblies, said means for discharging assemblies and said grippers being connected to operate in timed relation, the longitudinal movement of said grippers being longer than the length of said assemblies whereby a substatnial length of the web is provided between successive assemblies, means positioned adjacent said way and operative to wrap said wrapper around said assemblies and to seal portions of the wrapper, means positioned in longitudinally spaced relation from the end of said way and the advanced position of said grippers for crimping, sealing and severing the web between successive assemblies, the severing means being positioned longitudinally with respect to the end of the assembly engaged by said grippers to engage and act upon the web between successive assemblies at a point closer to the closed end of one assembly than the open end of the adjacent assembly, and means for removing the leading assembly from the end of the way after the web is severed.

WENDELL T. BURBANK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,113,078 Campbell Apr. 5, 1938 2,180,966 Salfisberg Nov. 21, 1939 2,237,119 Smith Apr. 1, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 472,874 Great Britain Oct. 1, 1937 554,922 Germany Apr. 30, 1930 80,931 Sweden July 15, 1932 

